Smith &Wesson cylinder gap?

Jalopiejoe · Jun 20, 2021

I just recently bought a 617-6 .22lr with a 4" barrel!
It's new, tight and minimal cylinder end-shake.
Can someone tell me what Smith and Wesson considers as their acceptable cylinder gap standards?
Is the gap set any wider on a .22lr because of the dirtier ammo build-up binding the cylinder?
What would be the maximum cylinder gap that should be acceptable before returning the gun for repair? I Really don't want to have to return it so I need to know!
My FFL still has the gun so I have not been able to measure it but it's definitely more than .008 to .010!
Thanks!

JohnKSa · Jun 21, 2021

What kinds of issues are you experiencing that lead you to believe your cylinder gap might be too large?

tightgroup tiger · Jun 21, 2021

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/smith-wesson-617-barrel-cylinder-gap.801012/.

I've had some of my S&Ws P&R's with recessed cylinders go as far as .011" cylinder gap. I read on thier forum that the recessed cylinders can be up to .017" .
I took mine to a gun smith and had it set back to .005-.006", recessed or not.

kidneyboy · Jun 21, 2021

Shoot it first. A couple hundred rounds. Use good ammo so you have a decent benchmark. It may be just fine.
If you have already convinced yourself there is a problem just do what @tightgroup tiger suggests.

sparkyv · Jun 21, 2021

I have this same pistol, Jalopiejoe. Cylinder gap on mine is 0.005", but I don't know the factory specs. It spits a little lead with one or two types of ammo, but nothing problematic.

Are cylinder gap specs different for recessed vs. non-recessed cylinders, tightgroup tiger?

243winxb · Jun 21, 2021

If the gun spits at you when firing, then worry about the gap & timing. On a 22LR, bigger is better.

Gaps run .004" to .009" The gap should be checked at each chamber. When cylinders are faced off, many are done at the same time.
This can leave a high spot on 1 cylinder chamber face. As dirt builds up, there is drag when it makes contact with the barrel. Not common. A gun smith can knock off the high spot. But blueing goes with it.

I need to shoot my old K22 M17.

Rule3 · Jun 21, 2021

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/smith-wesson-617-barrel-cylinder-gap.801012/

Pat Riot · Jun 21, 2021

The barrel to cylinder gap on my S&W model 63 is .005”. When I bought the gun it spit lead out the left side and accuracy was sporadic. It turned out the BC gap was .015” on the left side of the barrel and .005” on the right. I sent it back to S&W and it was corrected.
I spoke to one of S&W’s techs and he said .005” was their minimum recommended gap. He said “ I like a barrel to cylinder gap of .005” - .007” on his .22 lr revolvers.” He didn’t mention S&W’s “official” BC tolerances but now I wish I would have asked.

Jalopiejoe · Jun 21, 2021

I just received this email from Smith and Wesson:

Hello Joe,

We would like to thank you for your e-mail and contacting Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center.

The B&C gap should be between .004"-.010".

Thank You for choosing Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center products. Have a great day.

Regards, Steve

Jalopiejoe · Jun 22, 2021

I picked up a new set of feeler gauges and with pulling back on the cylinder, the cylinder/barrel gap measures .008 so it is well within specs!
Time to go shooting!

Smith &Wesson cylinder gap?

Jalopiejoe

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